Comparative Guide

1. USANA Essentialscontinues its exceptional #1
ranking in markets around the world, coming in on
top in an independent comparison to hundreds of
other nutritional supplements.
Canadian biochemist and author Lyle MacWilliam
uses a rigorous 14-point quantitative score, from his
popular new book, the Comparative Guide to
Nutritional Supplements (3rd Edition), to assess
product quality. His Blended Standard for optimal
daily intake is derived from the independently pub-
lished recommendations of several well-known
nutritional authorities. Using these criteria,
MacWilliam evaluates nutritional supplements, con-
cluding that USANA's Essentialsformulation sets a
new standard for product quality.
MacWilliam also dispels the myths that anything
less than broad-spectrum supplementation with a
pharmaceutical-grade multiple vitamin and mineral
product will not supply optimal health benefits. In
other words, avoid the hype created by marketing of
the “flavor of the month” by choosing the nutritional
supplement that supplies a high-potency, broad-
spectrum and balanced approach — the USANA
Essentials.
M My yt th h # #1 1: : A Al ll l y yo ou u n ne ee ed d i is s. .. .. .. .
People often approach nutritional supplementation
in a piecemeal fashion. Some take vitamin E to pro-
mote cardiovascular health. Others use vitamin C or
zinc to support healthy immune function. And many
simply skip from one product to another, month after
month, following the call of the latest buzzword or
"magic bullet" that has been highlighted in the press.
This approach to choosing a nutritional supplement
is just plain wrong. It runs counter to the most basic
principles of optimal nutrition — balance and com-
pleteness.
The Synergy of Teamwork
The human body is a complex organism that
requires a full complement of essential vitamins,
minerals and antioxidants for optimal performance.
When taken together in balanced amounts, these
nutrients provide the bricks and mortar to build a
strong foundation for long-term health. Leave any
nutrient out or provide it in insufficient quantities and
the strength of that foundation is weakened.
For that reason, it's imperative that the supplement
you choose provides an essential nutritional founda-
tion. A quality nutritional product should comprise
the complete range of vitamins, minerals, cofactors,
and trace elements, as well as a diverse group of
potent antioxidants. It must also supply these nutri-
ents in the correct balance and at potencies shown
to promote good health lifelong. Avoid nutritional
fads. Insist on balance, completeness and quality.
Your health depends on it.
MMy yt th h # #2 2: : A An n a ap pp pl le e a a d da ay y. .. .. .. .
It may once have been true that eating well could
provide all the nutrients your body needs. Today, our
faster-paced, higher-tress jobs, combined with nutri-
ent depletion in our soil and toxic pollutants in the air,
ground and water, can easily overwhelm our body’s
defenses — unless we provide them with extra nutri-
ents through supplementation.
Nourishment for your cells
USANA founder Dr. Myron Wentz came to nutrition
through scientific research requiring him to keep
cells alive in petri dishes for months at a time.
Realizing that if he found the secrets to nourishing
individual cells, he could also feed human cells in the
body. Dr. Wentz transferred his vast cellular nutrition
experience into the finest supplements available
anywhere — theUSANA Essentials.
Look inside, and see for yourself.
USANAESSENTIALSRATED#1
USANA’s #1 Nutritional line includes products for
everyone: Usanimals for the little ones; Body Rox
for teens; and Essentials for adults and seniors.

2. The Blended Standard
To compare products, biochemist Lyle MacWilliam
developed a Blended Standard based on the recom-
mendations of seven recognized and published
nutritional authorities:
Phyllis Balch, CNC, is a leading nutritional coun-
selor in America and a recognized advocate of
nutritional therapies. She is author of
Prescription for
Nutritional Healing: The A-to-Z Guide to
Supplements (2002).
Dr. Michael Colgan, Ph.D., is an internationally
recognized authority on sports nutrition and author
of
The New Nutrition: Medicine for the Millennium
(1995)
and Hormonal Health: Nutritional and
Hormonal Strategies for Emotional Well-Being and
Intellectual Longevity (1996).
Dr. Earl Mindell, Ph.D.,is one of America's lead-
ing nutritionists and an internationally recognized
authority on nutrition, drugs, vitamins and herbal
remedies. Dr. Mindell has authored several books,
including
Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible for the 21st
Century (1999)
and Dr. Earl Mindell's What You
Should Know About Creating Your Own Personal
Health Plan (1996).
Dr. Michael Murray, N.D.,is one of the world's
leading authorities on natural medicine. Dr. Murray
has published over 20 books on natural medicine,
including the
Encyclopedia of Nutritional
Supplements (1996)
and the Encyclopedia of
Natural Medicine (1998).
Dr. Richard Passwater, Ph.D.,is an acknowl-
edged expert in free radical pathology and trace
element research. A biochemist renowned for his
contributions to the advancement of science, Dr.
Passwater is also the author of best-selling guide,
The New Supernutrition (1991)and The
Antioxidants (1997).
Dr. Ray Strand, M.D.,has been a practicing family
physician for 26 years. Dr. Strand is the author of
Bionutrition: Winning the War Within (1998)and
What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional
Medicine May Be Killing You (2002).
Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D.,is author of the best
selling guide,
Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Natural
Healing (1996),
he is also the author and publisher
of
Health & Healing— a leading health newsletter in
the U.S., with a circulation of nearly 700,000.
Where at least three of the authors recommend
everyone supplement their diet with a particular
nutrient, the median value of the recommendations
is chosen for inclusion in the Blended Standard.
Reading the Graphs
Each bar in the graphs represents a single nutrient,
as shown in the Legend.
Note that each graph changes colour for those
nutrients that exceed 100 percent of the recom-
mended daily intake, based on the Blended
Standard.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
n-Acetyl-l-Cysteine
l-Carnitine
Choline
Inositol
Lecithin
Boron
Calcium
Chromium
Copper
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Potassium
Selenium
Silicon
Vanadium
Zinc
Vitamin A
Vitamin D3
Vitamin K
Biotin
Folic Acid
Vitamin B
1
Vitamin B
2
Vitamin B
3complex
Vitamin B
5
Vitamin B
6
Vitamin B
12
beta-Carotene
Coenzyme Q
10
Lipoic Acid
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Phenolic compounds
Procyanidolic Oligomers
IU
IU
ug
ug
ug
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
ug
IU
mg
mg
mg
mg
IU
mg
mg
mg
7500
350
180
200
400
50
43
75
75
63
300
12,500
45
35
35
2,000
500
555
25
75
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
mg
ug
mg
ug
mg
mg
mg
ug
mg
ug
mg
ug
mg
56
750
59
125
350
3
800
275
2
100
23
450
7
63
300
150
8
75
23
Blended Standard
Final Product Score:14.8%
Herbalife Formula 2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
HOW THECOMPARISONSAREMADE
All products shown are U.S.formulations.There may be differences in formulations
in different countries,depending on local regulations.
Final Product Score:5.2%
Centrum Performance
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150

3. Final Product Score:30.0%
Nutrilite (Amway, Quixtar) Double X
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
Final Product Score:33.1%
Mannatech Glycentials
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
Final Product Score:28.6%
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental without Iron
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
Final Product Score:52.7%
Pharmanex (Nu Skin) LifePak Prime
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
Final Product Score:11.1%
Nikken Bio-Directed Multi-Vitamin/Mineral
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
Final Product Score:6.2%
Melaleuca Vitality Pak (Mel-Vita, Mela-Cal)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
For vitamin A and iron, daily intakes up to 100 per-
cent of the Blended Standard are highlighted in
yellow. This simply denotes the need for cautionary
use of this particular nutrient. Intakes exceeding 100
percent of the values listed in the Blended Standard
are highlighted in red.
Final Product Score:96.1%
USANA Health Sciences Essentials
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39
% compared to Blended Standard
0 50 100 150
The Gold Standard
"In my comprehensive analysis of over 1,000 products,USANA's Essentials set the Gold Standard for multiple vitamin,mineral and antioxidant formulations. With over 18 potent antioxidant ingredients in combination with a full spec- trum of essential vitamins and minerals,the USANA Essentials deliver a strong, five-star performance when rated against our 14-point Blended Standard." — Lyle MacWilliam, MSc. FP. Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements
Final Product Score
Below each graph is the Final Product Score and a
five-star rating. These are based on the product’s
value, based on the fourteen-point supplement crite-
ria (see back page) developed by Lyle MacWilliam.

4. TTh he e E Es ss se en nt ti ia al l C Cr ri it te er ri ia a
What does the comparison examine?
• Completeness– A principal criterion for product
quality is a wide range of individual nutrients present.
Potency– A product must provide ingredients at opti-
mal potencies, not minimal DRI or RDA levels.
Bioactivity of Vitamin E– like your right hand and
your left hand, vitamin E exists in forms that are mirror
images of one another. The body can only use one form
efficiently. This form is called d-alpha-tocopherol or nat-
ural vitamin E.
Antioxidant Synergy– Vitamins C, E and beta
carotene each carry out important antioxidant functions
on their own; however, it is their synergistic activities in
combination with other antioxidants that provide surpris-
ing health benefits.
Glutathione Profile– Glutathione and ascorbic acid,
two of the pre-eminent cellular antioxidants, are tightly
linked. Glutathione's formidable reducing power, along
with ascorbate's antioxidant prowess, protects the entire
spectrum of biomolecules within the cell.
Metabolic Support– Together, vitamins B
3, B
6, B
12,
biotin, vitamins C and E, chromium, magnesium, man-
ganese and zinc help regulate glucose metabolism and
support the body's ability to generate, store and utilize
energy.
Cardiac Health Triad– The triad of coenzyme Q
10,
vitamin E and magnesium plays a central role in main-
taining sound cardiovascular health.
Phenolic Compound Profile– Olive oil's phenolic
acids are potent antioxidants that have been shown to
support healthy cardiovascular and immune function.
Homocysteine Reduction Triad– Folic acid, vitamin
B
12and vitamin B
6have been shown to help regulate
healthy levels of blood homocysteine, an important con-
sideration for long-term cardiovascular health.
Bone Health– As living tissue, bones require 24
bone building materials, including trace elements and
protein. The most important minerals are calcium, mag-
nesium, phosphorus and potassium. Bone health also
requires the presence of magnesium, vitamins D and K,
manganese, silicon, boron, zinc, copper, vitamin C, and
vitamins B
6, B
12and folic acid.
Bioflavonoid Profile– Bioflavonoids represent an
important class of antioxidants that, like the phenolic
compounds from olive, help promote sound cardiovascu-
lar and immune function.
Bioavailability– To facilitate absorption, many man-
ufacturers chemically bind their minerals to an amino
acid or organic acid carrier. This appears to be particu-
larly important for trace elements like selenium, which
are preferentially absorbed as organic complexes.
Lipotropic Factors– Choline, inositol, and related
lipotrophic factors are essential for healthy neurological
function.
Potential Toxicities– Pre-formed Vitamin A (retinal)
can be toxic when taken in high doses over a long peri-
od of time. Similarly, iron can become an aggressive
oxidant, if taken in excessive amounts.
AAb bo ou ut t t th he e A Au ut th ho or r
Author, educator and biochemist, Lyle MacWilliam’s scientific training took him to
the frontiers of research into the biological properties of antioxidants. His scientific
investigations focused on the damage caused by radiation to heart cell membranes
and the effects of exercise and dietary supplementation with Vitamin E.
Mr. MacWilliam is a former Canadian Member of Parliament(MP) and Member of
the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for British Columbia. He recently served, at the
behest of Canada’s federal Minister of
Health, on an expert advisory team for nat-
ural health products, and helped develop a
new regulatory framework to ensure
Canadians have access to safe, effective
and high quality nutritional products.
His wide-ranging consulting experience
includes work in the fields of management
and public policy consulting for the British
Columbia Science Council, Environment
Canada, Human Resources Development Canada and Health Canada.
An accomplished martial artist, Mr. MacWilliam is passionate about per-
sonal fitness and optimal health. He has authored several previous
publications comparing the nutritional profiles of Canadian and American
dietary supplements. His writing hits hard at today’s lifestyle and dietary pat-
terns and their role in the development of degenerative disease.
Lyle’s scientifically rigorous, no-nonsense delivery, lightened with a gentle
touch of humor, has earned him praise across Canada and the U.S. as a
sought-after speaker on the importance of nutrition and lifestyle.
Lyle MacWilliam
BSC, MSC, FP